Publications
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Energy at a Glance: Understanding Geothermal Power
Publication -Policy Tip Sheets -Although geothermal power has a range of applications, this paper primarily focuses on utility-scale use for geothermal power plants, and does not address smaller scale geothermal heat pumps like those used to heat and cool buildings. Geothermal energy comes from deep earth heat that remains from the formation of the planet, as well as ongoing […] -
Research & Commentary: South Carolina General Assembly Is Standing Up to Big Tech
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The South Carolina General Assembly has introduced House Bill 3102, which would protect free speech on social media platforms for South Carolinians. This legislation provides citizens of the Palmetto State an avenue to seek a private cause of action and possible financial damages if their online free speech has been blocked, restricted, suspended, terminated, removed, or […] -
Research & Commentary: ‘Making Work Pay’ Act Is Ill-Advised Move for Kansas
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Kansas House of Representatives is considering House Bill 2368, legislation that would raise the minimum wage in the Sunflower State to $16 per hour by January 1, 2027. Also known as the Making Work Pay Act, this would be a substantial increase from Kansas’ current minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. HB 2368 works in […] -
Research & Commentary: ‘Making Work Pay’ Act Would Undermine Kansas Economy
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Kansas Senate is considering Senate Bill 70, legislation that would raise the minimum wage in the Sunflower State to $16 per hour by January 1, 2027. Also known as the Making Work Pay Act, this would be a substantial increase from Kansas’ current minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. SB 70 works in tandem with House […] -
Research & Commentary: Garden State Bill Would Protect Online Free Speech
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The New Jersey General Assembly has introduced Assembly Bill 1416, which would protect free speech on social media platforms for New Jerseyans. This legislation provides citizens of the Garden State an avenue to seek a private cause of action and possible financial damages if their online free speech has been blocked, restricted, suspended, terminated, removed, […] -
Research & Commentary: Hawaii Bill Would Clarify Gubernatorial Power During a State of Emergency
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Hawaii Legislature is attempting to elucidate the extent of gubernatorial powers during a state of emergency with House Bill 522. Under current law, during a state of emergency, the governor maintains the power to suspend electronic media transmission. HB 522 considers how broad and vague the verbiage is in the current statutes and would […] -
The Road to Totalitarianism: Lessons From Russia
Publication -Policy Studies -Vladimir Putin and totalitarianism are old friends. The embattled Russian president began his career as a KGB operative in 1975, spending the next 16 years propagating total authoritarian control over his country until the Soviet Union finally collapsed in 1991.[1] Years after his country’s precipitous dissolution, Putin remarked in a 1996 interview, “However sad and […] -
Research & Commentary: Anti-ESG Bill in Nebraska Will Ensure Cornhusker State Pension Funds Invested Appropriately
Publication -Research and Commentaries -Legislation in the Nebraska Legislature would combat environmental, social and governance (ESG) scoring systems and ensure state pension funds are invested solely to achieve the maximum return on investment for pensioners, rather than advancing social or political causes that may likely lead to lower returns and / or underperformance. ESG scores are essentially a risk […] -
Research & Commentary: ESA Program For Low-Income and Special Needs Children a Non-Brainer for Louisiana
Publication -Research and Commentaries -Legislation in the Louisiana House of Representatives would establish the Education Scholarship Account Program, an education savings account (ESA) program open to low-income Louisiana children, as well as those with special educational needs. These accounts would cover tuition, fees, and curricula for eligible children at private and parochial schools, as well as educational therapies, textbooks […] -
Research & Commentary: Texas Parental Empowerment Program Would Be Game-Changer for Lone Star State Families
Publication -Research and Commentaries -Legislation in the Texas House of Representatives would establish the Texas Parental Empowerment Program, an education savings account (ESA) program open to all children in the state. These accounts would cover tuition, fees, and curricula for eligible children at private and parochial schools, as well as educational therapies, transportation costs, textbooks, supplemental course materials, supplemental technological […] -
Research & Commentary: Tennessee House Specifying State of Emergency Parameters Through New Proposed Legislation
Publication -The Tennessee legislature is attempting to take a significant swing at gubernatorial emergency powers with House Bill 422, the House companion legislation to Senate Bill 590. If passed, HB 422 would ensure that a state of emergency issued by the governor cannot last longer than 45 days. HB 422 and SB 590 safeguard Tennessee citizens from gubernatorial […] -
Research & Commentary: Tennessee Senate Specifying State of Emergency Parameters Through New Proposed Legislation
Publication -The Tennessee legislature is attempting to take a significant swing at gubernatorial emergency powers with Senate Bill 590, the Senate companion legislation to House Bill 422. If passed, SB 590 would ensure that a state of emergency issued by the governor cannot last longer than 45 days. SB 590 and HB 422 safeguard Tennessee citizens from gubernatorial […] -
Research & Commentary: Oregon Legislature Standing Up to Governor Overreach Post-Pandemic
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Oregon legislature is attempting to take a significant swing at emergency powers granted to their governor and any future governors with Senate Bill 640. If passed, SB 640 would create stipulations on future states of emergency in the Beaver state. HB 640 safeguards citizens from gubernatorial overreach by stating that an executive order terminates 31 […] -
Research & Commentary: Anti-ESG Bill in Indiana Will Ensure Hoosier State Pension Funds Invested Appropriately
Publication -Research and Commentaries -Legislation in the Indiana House of Representatives would combat environmental, social and governance (ESG) scoring systems and ensure state pension funds are invested solely to achieve the maximum return on investment for pensioners, rather than advancing social or political causes that may likely lead to lower returns and / or underperformance. ESG scores are essentially […] -
Research & Commentary: A Minimum Wage Hike to $20 Per Hour Is an Ill-Advised Move for the Rhode Island Legislature
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Rhode Island General Assembly is considering Senate Bill 37, legislation that would raise the minimum wage in the Ocean State to $20 per hour by January 1, 2025. This is a dramatic increase from the current minimum wage of $13 per hour. The bill would initially increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour on […] -
Research & Commentary: Tennessee Legislature Could Amend State Code Relative to Governor’s Emergency Powers
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Tennessee legislature is attempting to take a significant swing at gubernatorial emergency powers with House Bill 189. If passed, HB 189 would establish legislative oversight over the continuation of gubernatorial powers during a state of emergency. HB 189 stipulates that an executive order or proclamation issued by the governor expires no later than 45 days […] -
Research & Commentary: Florida on Verge of Universal Education Choice
Publication -Research and Commentaries -Legislation in the Florida House of Representatives would convert the state’s Family Empowerment Scholarship voucher program into a universal education savings account (ESA) program open to all Sunshine State families. These accounts would cover tuition, fees, and curricula for eligible children at private and parochial schools, as well as tutoring services, transportation costs, textbooks, supplemental course […] -
Research & Commentary: Low-Income South Carolina Families Deserve Education Scholarship Trust Fund
Publication -Research and Commentaries -Legislation making its way through the South Carolina General Assembly would establish the Education Scholarship Trust Fund, an education savings account (ESA) program open to low-income Palmetto State children. These accounts would cover tuition, fees, and curricula for eligible children at private and parochial schools, as well as tutoring services, transportation costs, textbooks, supplemental course materials, […] -
Research & Commentary: Oklahoma Education Freedom Account Program Would Be Game-Changer for Sooner State Families
Publication -Research and Commentaries -Legislation in the Oklahoma Senate would establish the Oklahoma Education Freedom Account Program, an education savings account (ESA) program open to all public-school students in the state. These accounts would cover tuition, fees, and curricula for eligible children at private and parochial schools, as well as educational therapies, transportation costs, textbooks, supplemental course materials, supplemental technological […] -
Research & Commentary: Kansas Senate Bill 50 Champions Individual Free Speech on Social Media Platforms
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Kansas Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs will be considering Senate Bill 50 on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, which provides consumer protections by prohibiting censorship of certain speech on social media platforms. The emergence of social media has elevated political dialogue and discourse to a breadth nearly unimaginable a decade ago. When originally developed, these […] -
Research & Commentary: Washington Senate Bill Would Ensure Legislative Oversight of Governor’s Powers
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Washington legislature is attempting to take a significant swing at gubernatorial emergency powers with Senate Bill 5063, also known as the bipartisan approach to legislative authority necessary in continuing emergencies balance act of 2023. If passed SB 5063 would establish balanced legislative oversight of gubernatorial powers during a declared emergency. SB 5063 stipulates that a […] -
Research & Commentary: West Virginia Could Provide Reduced Graduated Income Tax Rates with New Legislation
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The West Virginia legislature is considering House Bill 2526 new legislation that would reduce the personal income tax and provide reduced graduated income tax rates in the Mountain State. Throughout recent legislative session, many elected officials have turned their sights towards state revenue and budgets. Legislative sessions have been particularly unique following the COVID-19 economic downturn, which […] -
Research & Commentary: Utah Fits All Scholarship Program Would Be Game-Changer for Beehive State Families
Publication -Research and Commentaries -Legislation in the Utah State Legislature would establish the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program, an education savings account (ESA) program open to all public-school students in the state. These accounts would cover tuition, fees, and curricula for eligible children at private and parochial schools, as well as educational therapies, transportation costs, textbooks, supplemental course materials, supplemental […] -
Research & Commentary: Universal ESA Would Be a Game-Changer for Virginia Families
Publication -Research and Commentaries -Legislation in the Virginia House of Delegates would establish the Virginia Education Success Account Program, an education savings account (ESA) program open to all public-school students in the commonwealth. These accounts would cover tuition and fees for eligible children at private and parochial schools, as well as educational therapies, transportation costs, textbooks, supplemental course materials, […]